Founder, Sacred Text & Branches
Hinduism developed in the Indus River Valley of India and is called Sanatana Dharma by its adherents. It includes many sacred texts written over a long span of time.
Sacred Texts
Important Hindu texts include the Vedas, Upanishads, Hindu epics, Brahmanas, The Laws of Manu, Puranas, and Sutras. The Vedas are the oldest Hindu texts and include the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.
Sects
Major Hindu sects include Vaishnavism, which focuses on Vishnu; Shaivism, which focuses on Shiva; and ISKCON, also known as Hare Krishna, which focuses on Lord Krishna and uses the Bhagavad-Gita as a sacred text.
Core Beliefs of Hinduism
Supreme Being
Hinduism is difficult to place into one category. It may be described as monotheistic, pantheistic, polytheistic, or henotheistic. Many Hindus recognize Brahman as the ultimate reality, while also acknowledging many gods and goddesses.
Nature of Man
Hinduism teaches that the Atman, or cosmic spirit within us, is to be united with Brahman, the ultimate reality.
Reality
Everything is a part of and a manifestation of Brahman, the ultimate reality and Supreme Being.
Humanity’s Main Problem
Humanity’s main problem is being stuck in samsara, the repeated cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Afterlife
Hinduism teaches reincarnation, referred to as samsara: the continual cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
Proposed Solution
The solution is to escape samsara and achieve moksha by merging the Atman, the cosmic spirit within, with Brahman, the ultimate reality.
Paths Toward Moksha
The goal of moksha may be pursued through ritual practice, the mystical path, and bhakti, which is the way of devotion.
Worship, Rituals & Holidays
Place of Worship
Hindu worship commonly takes place in a temple.
Rituals
Major Hindu rituals include meditation and puja, the worship of one or more deities in the home or temple.
Major Holidays
- Divali / Diwali: The Festival of Lights, honoring Lakshmi and Rama.
- Ganga Dussehera: Celebrates the holy Ganges River and its descent to earth.
- Holi: A spring celebration symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- Kumbha Mela: A massive pilgrimage held every 12 years in one of four rotating locations.
- Maha Shivaratri: A festival honoring Shiva.
- Raksha Bandhan: A family ceremony honoring the brother-sister relationship.
Key Terms
Atman
The cosmic spirit within a person.
Brahman
The ultimate reality and Supreme Being.
Caste System
Hindu society is traditionally made up of four classes, or varnas: Brahmins, Shatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, along with many sub-castes.
Karma
The concept that deeds performed in this life determine the type of life experienced in the next life.
Moksha
Eternal unity or oneness with Brahman and release from samsara.
Puja
Worship of one or more deities, which may take place in the home or in a temple.
Sacred Cow
Cows are revered and protected as symbols of life and important sources of food, but they are not worshipped.
Samsara
The continual cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, also called reincarnation.
Sources
Adherents.com — www.adherents.com
CIA World Factbook — www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
Hindunet — www.hindunet.org
Kim Knott, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Madha Bazaz Wangu, Hinduism: World Religions. New York: Facts on File, 1996.